FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2011

Robin McClain, Destination DC
(202) 789-7099
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Kate Gibbs, Destination DC
(202) 789-7072
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WASHINGTON, DC: A CAPITAL PLACE FOR CHILDREN

With the White House home to two First Daughters, the city is stirring with activities for even the youngest DC visitors. Packed with dozens of free, kid-friendly attractions, Washington, DC is an ideal destination for a fun, educational family vacation. And even as the District’s traditionally historic sites continue to amaze and inspire, DC’s new exhibitions and attractions are doing their part to engage the city's family visitors with interactive experiences. Here’s a list of some popular family-friendly places, complete with some surprising spots for young explorers.  




KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS


Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The perfect place to take children to demonstrate that money does not, in fact, grow on trees! Instead, it is printed here at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, located right near the National Mall. Free tours are offered daily, allowing visitors to watch as millions of dollars are created on the production floor. Along the way, children and adults alike can learn interesting facts about the history of our currency system. Unfortunately, the tours do not end with a free sample. (They do, however, end at the gift shop!)

Discovery Theatre
With more than 300 shows a year, the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre is always busy entertaining and teaching young audiences through puppets, storytellers, musicians and the like. Located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the National Mall, the Discovery Theatre takes its shows on the road to its neighboring Smithsonian Museums throughout the week. While in town, be sure to check its website for its Schedule of Events.

International Spy Museum
Spy in the City and Operation Spy - The International Spy Museum, located in Penn Quarter, offers interactive experiences sure to engage older kids (12+). They can test their skills while exploring DC neighborhoods in Spy in the City, a new GPS-based experience where participants, equipped with a GPS Ranger handheld device, embark on a series of exciting self-guided outdoor missions in DC neighborhoods. And in the hour-long Operation Spy, participants enter a fictional country, take on the role of U.S. intelligence officers and engage in high-energy mission where they’ll need to “feel, think, and act” like real spies. A permanent gallery featuring interesting spy tools like sabotage weapons and secret writings round-out the museum’s intriguing offerings.

Library of Congress – Young Readers Center
The Library is home to a cozy space devoted to young readers. The Young Readers Center, located in the historic Thomas Jefferson Building, allows families to have a “read-aloud” experience, where they can choose books from an up-to-date collection of non-circulating titles or participate in family-friendly reading programs. The Center’s media room also allows visitors to view webcasts of young adult and children’s authors who were featured at the National Book Festival.

Madame Tussauds Washington, DC
DC’s Madame Tussauds gives off a distinctly “Washington” vibe from its downtown location, and gives parents the perfect opportunity to give kids a taste of politics without the crowds on the National Mall. They’ll especially love the opportunity to sit behind the desk in a perfect replica of The Oval Office, or to take pictures with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill or even President Obama and the First Lady. In February 2011, Madame Tussauds added a new presidential gallery, making it the only spot in the US where you could stand face-to-face with all 44 presidents.

National Building Museum
Hailed by The Washington Post as one of Washington, D.C.’s “Best Bets” for parents and children, The National Building Museum is dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of the built world. Young children are encouraged to learn while being creative in The Building Zone, full of oversized, lightweight LEGO building blocks. The NBM also provides Family Toolkits, Activity Booklets and Discovery Carts, all which help everyone (even your teenagers) fully interact with all this great museum has to offer. Throughout the year, the NBM offers various family-focused festivals, such as “The Big Build” and “Discover Engineering Family Day.”


National Museum of American History – Spark!Lab
Spark!Lab, a hands-on space for families and others visiting the recently renovated National Museum of American History, shows the real story behind an inventor’s work and lets kids be a part of the process. The Lab uses fun activities to help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention through games, conducting science experiments, exploring inventors’ notebooks, and more. It also offers an “Under 5 Zone” where younger children can explore activities that foster creativity and problem-solving skills with blocks, tools, puzzles and more.


National Museum of Crime & Punishment – CSI Experience
For older children interested in forensic science, The CSI Experience at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, located in Penn Quarter, is as close as you can get to a day in the life of a crime scene investigator. Finding themselves in the middle of a fully intact crime scene, visitors begin an investigation, gathering vital clues to determine what happened when, where, why and by whom. Discover the wonders of an autopsy and learn how to solve crime through the use of forensic science technology such as ballistics, blood analysis, fingerprinting, and dental and facial reconstruction.

National Museum of Natural History
Step into one of the largest science classrooms at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Dedicated to educating the masses on the incredible world around us, the museum is a quick favorite of children, who are captivated by its larger-than-life exhibits, interactive experiences and hands-on learning activities. The “Discovery Room” encourages children to learn with each other while feeling the skin of a crocodile, examining fossils and comparing artifacts. The NMNH museum also houses an IMAX theatre that features kid-friendly movies. And speaking of movies – do you want to spend a “night in a museum?” Well here is your chance – in the summer, the Natural History museum offers “Smithsonian Sleepovers,” where you can grab a snack, have a museum tour, see IMAX movie and then go to sleep next to whales and dinosaurs!

National Zoo
While the Zoo may be an obvious choice, it is one that is always sure to delight. Washington DC’s National Zoological Park is home to over 2,000 animals and 400 species, including their most famous residents: two Giant Pandas named Tian Tian and Mei Xiang. Sitting on over 163 acres of land in the midst of Rock Creek Park, the Zoo allows for families to walk, talk and take in a different animal habitat at every turn. During your visit, you are sure to catch an animal training, live demonstrations and keeper talks.


Washington National Cathedral
While the National Cathedral is a Christian church in Cleveland Park that holds Episcopal services, it is also open to people of all faiths and offers a full roster of programming for the whole family. Take a tour to explore the whimsical stone gargoyles and grotesques that decorate the Cathedral. Or make a stop in the Children’s Chapel, where everything from the chairs to the organ is designed to the scale of a six-year-old child. The beautiful grounds offer almost 60 acres of open space where children can play and a large gift shop features unique gift items for kids to take home.


Capitol Visitor Center
Opened in December 2008, the Capitol Visitor Center has been conceived as an extension of the Capitol that gives children - especially those studying American history – an up-close view of our government. At nearly 580,000 square feet, the Capitol Visitor Center is the largest project in the Capitol’s 215-year history and is approximately three-quarters the size of the Capitol itself. The entire facility is located underground on the east side of the Capitol so as not to detract from the appearance of the Capitol. Tours of the Capitol will begin and end at the Visitor Center and advance reservations are recommended to tour the Capitol.

 
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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 800 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.destinationdc.com